Knowing Your Body: The Best Defense Against Skin Cancer
Keeping track of the spots on your skin is a must for beating skin cancer. And luckily, more than half of skin cancers occur in areas of the body easily within view. According to experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the most important things you can do is get to know your skin. The most [...]
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Accountable Care Organizations the Focus of Upcoming Expo
The healthcare delivery landscape is changing as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are quickly becoming commonplace. Texas is home to more than 20 ACOs with many located in Houston, including the nation’s first accredited ACO. While these new organizations are only one of many innovative healthcare delivery models currently being studied by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), they [...]
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Choosing the Right Breast Enhancement Surgery
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast enhancement surgeries are still the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. In 2012, over 300,000 breast augmentations and over 90,000 breast lift surgeries were done. Breast augmentation or breast lift? If you are considering breast enhancement surgery to improve your appearance, you may be wondering which procedure is appropriate for [...]
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Educating Parents on Childhood Obesity Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2002) close to 18% of American children ages 2 to 19 have been diagnosed as obese. While there are many contributing factors that can lead to childhood obesity, the most common reason is based on an imbalance of consuming too many calories and the inability to burn those extra calories. The result is excess energy stored in the body, thus causing increased body fat.
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Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – THE TROJAN HORSE
Throughout human history, pandemic microbial plagues have periodically decimated mankind, and historically altered the geopolitical, socioeconomic landscape of the planet. Inevitable bio-disasters – natural or terrorist, e.g., a highly contagious killer flu or a biologic weapon of mass destruction epidemic – will require mass screening of threatened populations to identify and isolate the infected, to prevent spread.
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Kelsey-Seybold Named Nation’s First Accredited Accountable Care Organization
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has become the first U.S. healthcare organization to receive accreditation as an Accountable Care Organization. It was one of six organizations seeking ACO accreditation through the National Committee for Quality Assurance when it began accepting submissions in March 2012. “We are honored to receive the first ACO accreditation,” said Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, chairman and managing director [...]
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UTMB Health System Taps McGrew to Fill COO Post
By Mary Alys Cherry Deborah McGrew Deborah McGrew is the new chief operating officer for the University of Texas Medical Branch Health System. McGrew will be in charge of leading, planning and integrating numerous aspects of the UTMB Health System, including its hospitals, clinics and ancillary services, as well as managed care. “We’re so pleased to have Deborah joining the [...]
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Three Area Hospitals Earn National Recognition
Three Bay Area hospitals have come in for honors in recent days for the quality of the health care they offer. Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Christus St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay and Mainland Medical Center in Texas City have received the nation’s “Top Performers on Key Quality Measures” recognition by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.
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Here’s to a Healthier New You in 2013!
It is New Year’s Resolution time! Have you thought of what you would like to do differently this year than last year? Here are some tips on goal setting to consider when creating a healthy New Year’s Resolution: 1. It is better to focus on one goal at a time. Prioritize your list by level of importance. 2. Identify your barriers to reaching your goal. Remember that success requires sacrifice in some way. Always have a Plan B in place in case you face an unforeseen or unplanned obstacle.
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Quit Smoking for Good
University of Texas MD Anderson experts share the most effective ways to break your smoking habit 1. Set a Date It’s important to pick a date and plan ahead. “Picking a quit date, particularly at a time when you know your motivation is high and there will be less stress or distraction, is generally a good idea,” said Paul M. [...]
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From the Research Lab to the Playground 75 Years towards Healthier Babies
Mothers-to-be have a lot on their plate as they baby proof their homes, decorate their baby’s nursery and celebrate their future bundle of joy with family and friends. Amongst the hubbub in the months preceding the delivery date, most mothers worry about their baby’s health, but few truly imagine that their child will be the 1 out of every 8 children in Texas that is born prematurely.
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Patient Care Magnified Beyond the Power of the Microscope
Dr. Jeffery Moore, Medical Director for CHRISTUS St. John Laboratory, studies a sample. It used to be that when primary care physicians were trying to decide where to send their patients for the uppermost levels of diagnostic testing and skill, they would turn to large academic facilities and healthcare institutions found only in the biggest cities—often trading the sensitivity of [...]
Read MoreFour Horsemen of the Apocalypse- The Pale Horse
In November 2012, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting David Quammen, National Geographic writer and author, promoting awareness of the ever-present, apocalyptic threat of ‘spillover’ global pandemics, including SARS, influenza and biological weapons of mass destruction.
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Breast Friends Support Group to Meet December 12
The University of Texas MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area is sponsoring the Breast Friends Support Group and Educational Program for surrounding communities. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m at the CHRISTUS St. John West Building. After a brief presentation from monthly guest speakers, a small group discussion follows as well as [...]
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Healthgrades: Memorial Hermann Hospitals Among Best in Nation
Healthgrades, the nation’s most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality ratings, has again named several Memorial Hermann hospitals among the best in the nation. The recognition is part of new findings released in American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, which evaluates the performance of approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide across nearly 30 procedures and [...]
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Ambulatory Surgical Centers Built from the Ground Up
Worldwide Surgical Solutions in Houston has innovated a revolutionary new hybrid ambulatory surgical center called the Series 1. This facility, along with its sister facilities, will reshape the ASC industry as we know it today. First in the USA and the World The design/build ASC’s contain two to four operating suites with one to two procedure rooms and three to eight [...]
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Video Marketing for Healthcare Professionals
Searching for a doctor or any health care professional is one of the most important choices a person can make. Doctors therefore must market themselves effectively to assist in those decisions. Statistics show that video marketing is the optimum medium for today’s business owners to advertise, reach target audiences, optimize search engine ranking, showcase products and services, engage, communicate clearly, and educate customers. The health care industry is no exception.
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Performing A Unit Cost Analysis
With the pressure on physicians today to accept payer contracts that are reduced to either just above Medicare rates (or even worse ‘below’ Medicare), it is very important for physicians to know their “unit cost” for providing a particular service. This unit cost analysis takes into account all of the resources associated with providing a service and calculates how much it costs to provide the service at the smallest practical unit. An example is determining the cost of providing a physical exam, a wellness exam, or any other procedure predominantly performed by the physician.
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Risk Management in Physician Offices
By Amanda Kuenstler I recently listened to a conference put on by Josh Hyatt DHSc(c), MHL, CPHRM, a Risk Management Specialist with NORCAL Mutual Insurance and Kelley Chrouser, PhD, Manager of Education with American Society of Healthcare Risk Managers (ASHRM ) who raised several key points in the world of risk management and physician offices. In the realm of risk [...]
Read MoreThe State of Modern Healthcare Today – Trends and Challenges
In principle medicine is fundamentally the interface between the patient’s clinical database and the medical literature, mediated by the medical profession. Patients – increasingly internet instructed – are conscientious consumers, demanding best care. There is an opportunity to establish cost-saving, care-enhancing, practical doctor/patient partnerships by creatively utilizing the four pillars of information technology. Clinical database – Medical care is an informed decision-making process.
Read MoreThe Stroke Support Group
Yes, there is life after a stroke. You and your family are invited to join Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and other stroke survivors as we share, discuss and learn about living life after a stroke. You’ll hear from experts in the field of stroke treatment and prevention. A variety of educational topics will be presented, as well as the opportunity for you to share your own personal story and hear the stories of other stroke survivors.
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Affordable Care Act is Wrong Prescription for America
In a move that surprised many, the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld most provisions included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. This law included an individual mandate that forces every American at certain income levels to purchase health care insurance. The Court ruled that the mandate is not constitutional under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, but is constitutional as a tax.
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Sucré-Vail Offers Financial Wellness Through Wealth Management to Physicians
Managing your own financial path can be a full time job. Add a thriving medical practice or your own business to the mix, and there are not enough hours in the day. An established expert can step in to streamline the process for you. Sucré-Vail Wealth Advisors specializes in financial wellness and wealth accumulation. The firm offers comprehensive advice around issues unique to high net worth families and business owners so as to be your family physician of finances.
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Tracking Patients
I was sitting in a waiting room for a doctor’s appointment recently when the outside door opened to a half full waiting area and in stepped an older man wearing a Panama hat and beige linen slacks. He loudly tapped on the glass partition to get the receptionist’s attention. She reluctantly opened the glass and he blurted out, “I’m from out of town. I’m a traveling salesmen and don’t have a ‘regular’ home, but I need to see a doctor!”
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How Does My Hospital Compare?
While sitting at a physician’s office the other day, I observed two ladies in the waiting room doing what we (most men) don’t do well: communicate. They were complete strangers, yet had so much in common and so much to share with each other. “I’m new to the area. Are you from around here?” said the first woman. “Yes. I’ve lived here over 15 years,” responded the second woman. I continued to listen to their interaction simply because there was nothing else for me to do.
Read MoreWebcast at MD Anderson Regional Care Center in Bay Area Spotlights Post-Treatment Neuropathy
The annual survivorship series, “Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer,” hosted by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Anderson Network’s PIKNIC (Partners In Knowledge, News In Cancer) program will be held on Tuesday, August 7 from noon–1:15 p.m. Panelists will discuss managing post-treatment neuropathy. The discussion this month will be led by a panel of MD [...]
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Dr. Farid Noie – The Renaissance Man of Unicare Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry
A Personal Interview Q: What are the varied services you offer at Unicare Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, in addition to general dentistry? Noie: In addition to general dentistry, we are able to offer our patients: • Oral surgical services such as extraction of simple or complicated wisdom teeth, guided hard (bone) and soft tissue (gum, connective tissue) regeneration and [...]
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Women In Medicine – A look at the past with an eye toward the future
As the woman in the white lab coat holding a clipboard surveys the doctor’s office waiting room, an elderly gentleman patiently thumbs through an is...
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Hakeem Hosts Heart Benefit at West Mansion
Bay Area physicians and community leaders got an up close look at the newly renovated West Mansion when Men Go Red for Women joined NBA legend Hakeem ...
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UTMB starts work on Victory Lakes expansion
Bolstered by its success in north Galveston County, the University of Texas Medical Branch has begun work on its $90 million building expansion projec...
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Identifying and Fighting Another Cancer-Causing Agent: Obesity
The number of obese Americans is on the rise. In 2009-2010, more than 78 million (35.7 percent) U.S. adults and about 12.5 million (16.9 percent) U.S....
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Heart Healthy Ideas For Spring
Heart Healthy Foods. You can do an internet search and come up with lots of information on the subject; perhaps too much information to digest. There...
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